The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) yesterday said the Federal Government was working to attract the right investments that would ensure that the country meets its commitment to cut its carbon emission to net-zero by 2060.

According to the commission, Nigeria needs $4 billion annually to fund clean energy generation initiatives. Director-General of ECN, Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha, disclosed this in Abuja, during the sensitization campaign on using improved clean energy held at Kurudu, Karu Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

At the event, the commission also donated technologically advanced cooking stoves to women as a demonstration of the benefits of cleaner cooking methods.

“Let me mention here that during my presentation when we started this campaign yesterday, I made mention that we have from analysis and from research and studies as well, that the Nigerian government needs $4 billion yearly and I repeat $4 billion yearly for us to attain a clean energy generation. We have made a commitment to net zero, we’re all aware.

“That means we must work towards it. And for us to do that, we must be able to attract at least $4 billion dollars yearly up to 2050 that we have pledged to cut the emission to net zero and hopefully by 2060 we will sign off. That is the Paris Agreement and that is what we have pledged to do. So, we are working towards getting the investment to the country,” he said.

According to the ECN DG, cooking with traditional biomass stoves is a major source of household air pollution, which causes millions of premature deaths every year, especially among women and children. 

Mustapha lamented that the activity also contributes to deforestation, climate change and energy poverty, adding that these are serious challenges that the country must address. 

He added: “We are here today on a campaign on clean renewable energy efficiency juice for domestic cook stoves. It is very necessary because what they are using traditionally is very harmful to their heads. It is contributing to global warming and as such, it is causing degradation of the environment. So, we are here to give them a better solution, a more technological advanced cooking stove that will reduce those emissions, the carbon emission and also increase efficiency.

“Now, it will interest you to notice that based on our studies, about three billion households use a very harmful cooking stove around the world. If you do that analysis, you know the carbon that has been flipped. And that is why we are having climate change. So, with what we’re doing today, we are sure to reduce that number. And Nigeria is taking a bold step to cut the emission of carbon.”